AUSTINTOWN Commission opposes Rte. 46 zoning

Zoning still could be changed by the township trustees.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- The Mahoning County Planning Commission has recommended against zoning a section of land along state Route 46 to allow retail business, but that may not stop the construction of businesses there in the near future.
"I think we still have a chance," said Thomas Niemi of Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services who represents the owners of the land.
His optimism stems from the fact that the final decision to change the zoning rests with the Austintown Township trustees. The planning commission and the township zoning commission make recommendations on proposed zoning to the trustees, who have the final say.
Still a possibility: Niemi said that while the planning commission's recommendation have reduced the chances that the land will be zoned retail, he feels the trustees still may choose to zone the land for professional or administrative businesses.
The land east of state Route 46 between Colgate Avenue and Willowcrest Drive is zoned residential. Six properties extend to the rear of homes on DeHoff Drive, but the rezoning request involves only the first 500 feet.
Planning commission members expressed concern Tuesday that retail development may restrict access to the remaining 700 feet, which has not been developed and would essentially be "landlocked."
Niemi said the additional property would serve as a buffer between retail development on state Route 46 and the homes on DeHoff Drive.
No set plans: He said the landowners have no plans to build retail businesses along state Route 46. Instead, they are only preparing for future development by asking for the zoning change.
That very lack of plans to develop the land also concerns the planning commission.
"With no plans on the table ... it's very hard for me to accept a proposal like this," commission member Joe Sylvester Jr. said.
"We don't know what's going to happen 50 years from now or 20 years from now," said commission chairman Robert Lidle.
Two township residents, Rosemary Bruno and Richard Erb, also expressed concern.
Bruno said she doesn't want the trees to be torn down for development, while Erb feels businesses should build new facilities on Mahoning Avenue instead of state Route 46.
The vote to recommend against the zoning change was unanimous. Ed Reese abstained.